Welcome note from our Chairperson Diana Shaw

Not long ago 30 Youth Pastors and Leaders gathered on a Saturday for the Tune In seminar put on by CDF at the Baptist Training Center in Camalote.

The flyer that advertised the event asked three questions:

Do you know what to do if someone reports abuse to you?

Do you know what to do if someone says that they have had an abortion?

Do you know what to do if a member of your youth group has been raped?

As the day progressed the three speakers, our chairperson, Diana, along with CDF board members,Tom, and Jadine, covered several topics which answered the questions from the flyer; what is sexual abuse, reporting requirements and laws, the effects of abuse and how to help, and how to talk to young people about sexual issues.

We were thrilled with how Tuned In each of the participants were, the types of questions that were asked throughout the day, and with the strategies that the small groups came up with for dealing with children, parents, the police, and the church.

In the coming weeks we will be sharing articles related to the topics covered at the seminar.   We wholeheartedly believe that God truly blessed this event. And we pray that lives will be touched through the participants as go back to their youth groups and use what they learned.  And we look forward to providing more events like this one in the future!

So you might be asking what is counseling?
Counseling occurs in any relationship where two or more people work together towards better understanding a problem or a difficulty in the client’s life and the resolution of that problem or difficulty.  In counseling, a professional can function as your support system in a way that is different from your family and friends.  Your counselor will provide a safe place for you to express your feelings without needing to worry about being judged.  Also, your counselor will help you learn constructive ways of coping with stress, negative feelings, and challenges.

What kinds of issues can I talk about?  Is my problem appropriate for counseling?
There is no such thing as right or wrong or appropriate or inappropriate issues that can be discussed in counseling. Any problem or difficulty with life can be addressed. Just in case you are still uncertain about whether counseling is the right place for you, here are some common examples of what is addressed in counseling:

• Stress management
• Family problems
• Relationship concerns
• Academic pressures
• Career
• Anxious feelings
• Depressed mood
• Sleeping difficulty
• Eating concerns
• Abuse (sexual, physical, emotional)
• Spiritual issues

Isn’t counseling for “crazy” people?
Not at all. Many people have difficult life experiences. When these difficulties interfere with how you are feeling or your ability to function, then it is okay to need help or support from others.  What matters is that you feel better.

Is seeking counseling a sign of weakness?
Not at all! Asking for help when you need it demonstrates great strength. Allowing another person to help you help yourself is also an indication of strength. It takes a lot of courage to face your problems. Once you make the decision to get help, you have already taken a big step toward positive change.

Can my friends and my family find out I am in counseling?
No. Participation in counseling is private and confidential. No one can find out about your information or whether or not you receive counseling unless you provide consent. Counselors handle confidential material very carefully. The only exception for confidentiality is if there is a risk to your safety or others’ safety.  Your counselor will explain confidentiality and exceptions to the confidentiality at the beginning of your first meeting. Please feel free to ask more questions if you are still concerned.

How much does it cost to see a counselor?
At CDF we charge a $5 fee for each counseling session.  Please call 633-7010 or 822-0101 for more information.  You may also email us at cdfbelize@ymail.com.

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in Belize is increasingly becoming a problem. Children as young as ten are being exploited for economic rewards. But who are the exploiters? Who are the facilitators of such crime? Are they ordinary men and women or are they individuals of influence in society? Can you tell by looking at them, whether they are exploiters? What makes children and adolescents vulnerable to exploitation. The International Labour (ILO) office did a study on the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in Belize. Thirty victims participated in this survey and 20 of those that participate in this survey said that their only means of economic survival was participating in CSEC activates.  Their stories and the reports of other victims indicate that, for the most part, CSEC is not being committed by foreigners who come into our country but rather by Belizean men and women primarily between the ages of 30 to 50 who seek out children and adolescent for exploitation. The ILO study also revealed that victims were mostly girls and the exploiters were mostly male. Many victims are accessed through family members or close friends who act as intermediaries and facilitators of these crimes. CSEC is happening in every community in Belize in such places as  bars and nightclubs, hotels , photo studios, massage parlours, brothels and in homes, where  parents, uncles, aunts  and friends, introduce victims to individuals who eventually exploit them.

There are reports of persons organizing private dance parties where young girls are hired to work and perform nude dancing and lap dances. Many times people ask why don’t the victims come forward and speak for themselves?  However, victims of CSEC have had their dignity and personhood as an individual taken away from them, sometimes being forced or induced to participate in humiliating and degrading sexual activities, victims are sometimes beaten and threatened by exploiters and others benefiting from the exploitation such as the family. Help us to eradicate CSEC and human trafficking by speaking on behalf of victims and reporting any situations where you know someone is being victimized to the Department of Human Service or the Police.

Together we can make a difference!!!!!

In Esperanza Village on March 18 and 19, CDF had the privilege of conducting a women’s conference on CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children).  The Friday evening and all day Saturday event took place in the community center and was attended by almost 100 women.  This conference was notable in that all of the planning and organization was carried out by ladies who have been through our previous Family Intervention Specialist (FIS) trainings. Some of these ladies also participated as speakers in the conference.

Much prayer preceded the event, and God was working during the sessions.  On Friday evening five women made commitments to Jesus Christ, and on Saturday there was a wonderful openness in sharing   personal experiences with sexual exploitation and abuse.  There was productive discussion about how we as women can make a difference in preventing CSEC. We ended the conference praying for one another, for healing and for courage to fight the sexual exploitation of children in Belize.

We at CDF look forward to holding similar women’s conferences in other communities in the future months.

Our Last training for 2010 was held on the 2 & 3 of December for Labour and Trade Union Officials country -wide. We were grateful for the opportunity bestowed on us by the Labour Commissioner Mr. Williams and the Presidents of the various Trade Union who participated in the said training. There were a total of 27 participants at this 2 day workshop.

Participants were sensitized on the role and responsibilities of Labour Officers and the Trade Unions in eradicating CSEC as well as their legal responsibilities to victims. In addition, the Labour Commissioner presented the National Child Labour Policy and the Decent Work Agenda both have been approved by Parliament and they place a responsibility on the Labour Department to take legal responsibility to detect and investigate possible situations of CSEC encountered during labour inspections.

Read more in our newsletter for this quarter.